If you want to extend the terrace season, you need to solve one thing: guests who get cold. A terrace that stays open when it turns chilly brings in extra revenue, because many guests prefer to sit outside rather than inside. With these seven measures, you keep them with you for longer.
1. Break the wind
Wind feels colder than the temperature suggests. Glass windscreens or planters on the windward side make an immediate difference. Check where the wind comes from and place the shelter there, without blocking the view of the street entirely. A terrace must still look inviting to passers-by.
2. Provide a roof
A parasol or canopy keeps out rain and dew. A roof also holds the warmth of guests and table lamps a little longer. Preferably choose a canopy that you can open on sunny days.
3. Extend the terrace season with heating that reaches the guest
Heaters warm the air, and the air blows away. Heated seat cushions deliver the warmth directly to the seat and the back. The guest chooses the setting, up to 45 degrees, and a battery lasts up to 8 hours. Tests with restaurants show that this makes the terrace season 6 to 8 weeks longer. Also read how a heated seat cushion works.
4. Choose cushions that suit your chairs
A cushion that fits well looks neat and stays comfortable. There are models for stacking chairs, bistro chairs and lounge seating. Choose a colour that matches your furniture and house style: Olefin alone already comes in nine colours.
5. Adapt the menu
Hot drinks, soup and dishes to share suit a chilly terrace. Put them at the top as soon as the temperature drops. A hot drink in hand keeps guests outside longer than a cold beer.
6. Show that you are heated
Guests actively look for warm places. Register your terrace free of charge on Heated terraces and mention the heating in your Google Business Profile, on your own website and on social media. Read more in This map shows which terraces are heated.
7. Make it easy for your team
Choose solutions that create little work. Batteries that go into the charging station overnight are quicker to manage than swapping gas bottles. Agree who charges the batteries at closing time, so that everything is ready the next day.
Where do you start?
Start with the places that are used most: the tables along the façade or in the sun. Provide shelter and heating there first. Watch how guests respond for a few weeks and then expand to the rest of the terrace. This keeps the investment limited and teaches you what works for your business. Also keep track of how long guests stay and what they order. Those figures help you decide whether expanding is worthwhile.
What does it deliver?
Every week that the terrace stays open longer is extra revenue. Weigh the cost of your measures against those extra weeks. For heated seat cushions you pay € 5 per cushion per month plus a deposit; see what patio heating costs.
Try it without risk
Would you like to know what heated seat cushions do on your terrace? Try up to 10 cushions free for one month.
Frequently asked questions
How much longer can my terrace stay open with heated seat cushions?
Tests with restaurants show that the terrace season becomes 6 to 8 weeks longer.
What is the cheapest way to keep the terrace open for longer?
Start with shelter from the wind and a good layout. Combine that with heating that warms the guest directly, such as heated seat cushions.
Do I need to adapt my whole terrace at once?
No. Start with the places that are used most and expand if guests respond positively.
Jemtec is the official partner of HeatUup in the Netherlands and the company behind Heated terraces (verwarmdeterrassen.nl/en) and Terrace in the sun (terrasindezon.nl/en).